‘Red Jacket Rider’ to the rescue

PETALING JAYA: Would you lend your motorcycle to a stranger you met on the highway? Muhamad Israq Esdizul, the man with the moniker Abang Baju Merah, would – without hesitation.

The 27-year-old site supervisor handed over the keys to his Kawasaki Ninja 150RR to Fathul Wafi Mohd Sokhih, 29, and his wife Natasya Khairuddin, 24, when he saw the former pushing his motorcycle along the New Klang Valley Expressway (NKVE) after its rear tyre was punctured.

Muhamad Israq did not care about letting a stranger use his recently bought dream bike; he just did not want to see a young couple walk along a highway.

Muhamad Israq then took Fathul Wafi’s Yamaha 125Z and rode it for more than 10km to Setia Alam in Shah Alam, only to find the workshop there closed.

Abang Baju Merah is the name coined by netizens who praised him on Facebook after a post by Natasya went viral.

“The bike could still carry one person but not two, or else the rim would be damaged,” Muhamad Israq said when contacted.

Asked why he trusted a total stranger, Muhamad Israq said he placed his trust in God.

“All I want is to help and if God helps me, I can help others,” he said.

“I received help before and I want to give back to the people out there,” he added.

Fathul Wafi said he was stunned when Muhamad Israq offered him his motorcycle.

“I thought to myself, ‘is he for real?’. We’re really thankful for all that he has done.